Okay, I’m going to cut those smooth-talkin’ “Ooh, look at me, I just bought a house” Halifax Herohillians a break. It’ll be a short one, but it’ll be one nonetheless. Here’s the deal: they know good music. They may actually support peddling in the (*cough*) busy (*cough*) streets of their city with that annual busking festival of theirs, but I can’t of sound mind say anything disparaging about their taste in music. Point in case: thanks to Herohill, I have discovered That’s The Spirit.

Essentially spearheaded by Ottawite (?) Ben Wilson, That’s The Spirit concocts hazy folk-inspired tunes which feel just as much as home in your dreams as they would as a hearty meal-soup. Yeah, he’s got Every City awash in the reverb of his twinkling guitar, the bass undulating in waves, the drums sharp and clear, his voice soft and misty, but the steel-pedal sheen keeps it well grounded and away from any shoo-in dreampop comparisons. In fact, the song benefits from having this extra soulfulness, imparting it with a down-to-earth character which is both soulful and inspiring, as if the mundane was being ennobled. Yes, it’s dreamy, but also very comforting, spurring us into finding wonder in what is around us instead of staring longingly into the clouds.

So thank you, guys from Herohill… this time.

MP3: That's The Spirit - Every City

myspace.com/thatsthespirit